Stan the Man's Story
Stan and his brother Hank came into the rescue on January 27th, 2023. They were surrendered by their previous owners. Right away I knew Stan was in trouble. His breathing was very loud and labored. An awesome supporter and foster came by that night with her nebulizer box, showed me how to use it….and the journey began.
Over the course of the next several months, my vets and I tried many things to try to clear up Stan’s respiratory issues. We tried steroids and anti-biotics and anti-inflammatories. He had liquid meds for his nebulizer so that I could instantly give him a nebulizer treatment when he was struggling. Nothing worked. Despite his loud breathing and congestion, Stan was a very happy guinea pig. He did not appreciate my snuggles but he sure loved to eat. His favorite was bell peppers. The highlight of my day was giving his a slice and watching him run off with it, sticking up in the air. Sometimes he would run into his house and the pepper slice was too long and knock over the house. Stan was full of life. He had my heart.
On July 27, 2023, I found Stan near death. I thought of just holding him close as he passed, but something told me to jump in the car and take him to the vet. They rushed him right in. His prognosis was very grim. He was very bloated, his temperature was only 94 and he was not very responsive. I braced myself and held my breath for the next 48 hours. It was a rollercoaster from one call from the vet to the next. But he made. He survived. And I knew he would never leave my house.
Unfortunately, Stan passed away on November 21, 2023. He had another episode and he was tired, so despite emergency efforts, he went on his own accord. He was loved all over the world and many, besides myself, mourned him. He stood for strength and resilience and the will to live. He was Stan the Man.
Some piggies like Stan, come to us with medical problems, but still have a good quality of life. They deserve love and they deserve a forever family. Stan was originally going to be part of this program, but after his first hospitalization, I knew I could never part with him. It is a joy and warming to nurse an animal that needs help. Please consider adopting a guinea pig from this program and help keep Stan’s spirit alive through every animal that is helped and loved.
Stan's Safe Sanctuary Program
Sometimes, a small animal will come to the rescue that may not be able to ever be adopted. This is usually due to medical reasons. In some cases, these are hospice cases. In other cases, if a guinea pig or pair have been returned so many times, it is only fair to offer them a permanent spot where they will always be safe.
In any of these cases, these lives need a place to live out their days with love, comfort and compassion. With the rise and flow of rescue, it is not always possible to have them at the rescue location. They deserve more time and attention. That is were the program steps in.
Stan’s Safe Sanctuary Program is for our permanent residents. It means the piggies will stay in the rescue for the rest of their lives, and ensured that they are loved and treated properly. They will never go without. Some may be in permanent foster, some may be at the rescue headquarters and some may even be adopted under the Stan’s Safe Sanctuary Program.
Sponsoring A Stan's Safe Sanctuary Piggie
What is Sponsorship?
Sponsorship is a monthly donation to a specific piggie. That donation goes directly to the care of that piggie, whether it be medications, daily care or a special treat!
Sponsorships can be made at the following link:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/vegas-friends-gpr-monthly-sanctuary-pig-sponsorship
Benefits of Sponsoring A Safe Sanctuary Piggie
- You are helping the rescue care for the piggies in their care that are not able to be adopted. They will remain with the rescue for the rest of their lives.
- Your name will appear on this page, under the picture of the piggie you are sponsoring.
- As a sponsor, you will be tagged in all the posts related to the piggie you are sponsoring, so you receive information quickly!
Piggies Available for Sponsorship
Treasa
Sponsors: 1) Connie L.
2)
Treasa is known as “The Queen of the Rescue” Treasa came to the rescue early March 2024. She came from a local shelter with a very serious eye problem. The eye ended up having to be removed immediately because it was so damaged. You would have thought that the surgery would have been the solution, but it was the start of a very long journey for The Queen.
While in the rescue, Treasa has undergone several additional surgeries, including a bone graft in her eye. She went through months of wet to dry bandages that required a visit to the vet three times a week. And then a final surgery and numerous follow up visits that are on going to this day.
Throughout it all, Treasa has kept a good attitude, promptly starts eating when waking up from anesthesia and lovingly eats her mini cookies every night after her medication.
Did her troubles end there? Sadly, they did not. In July of 2025 she was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst and a uterine tumor. But that has not slowed her down in the slightest. Treasa will not be getting any more additional surgeries and will live out her life having mini cookies and her special hay. She is beloved by so many. She has had stickers, cartoons and cookies made in her likeness. She is The Queen.
Monthly Care
Dilly
Sponsors: 1) Linda K.
2)
Dilly came into the rescue in March of 2024, right before the major hoarding situation hit. Dilly came in with his friend Winston, who sadly passed away at the beginning of 2025. Dilly and Winston, along with Milo and Otis, were all surrendered by their owner, who said that if I did not take them, she was going to take them to a reptile store.
It was obvious right away that Dilly had experience some sort of head trauma in his life. Not only is he blind in one eye, but his head is bobbly, and he is very wobbly. We affectionately call him “Bobble Head.” Since Winston passed away he has been on his own. He seems content and “bobbles” around his enclosure. He must be held carefully, as he tends to not always have control over his head (like a newborn baby). Due to his head trauma, he will stay in his forever foster home with his family that loves him. He does not have any special medications, but does love his nightly treat of Oxbow Apple Banana Snacks.
Monthly Care
Ross
Sponsors: 1) Karen S.
2)
Monthly Care
Static
Sponsors: 1) Danielle D.
2)
Monthly Care
Draco
Sponsors: 1) Kaili D.
2)
Monthly Care
Starr
Sponsors: 1) Kim F.
2) Alondra J.
Monthly Care
Mochi
Sponsors: 1) Karen S.
2) Andrea B.
Monthly Care
Acorn
Sponsors: 1) Heather J
2)
Acorn came to us in September of 2025. He was infested with mites so bad he actually had a seizure while we were at the vet with him due to the pain and itchiness. He was completely impacted, and because of his prolonged poor husbandry, he will need to be cleaned out daily or every several days for the rest of his life. But this is one friendly guinea pig. He is always running up to the bars when you walk up and loves to be pet. And boy does he LOVE his food and treats!
Monthly Care
Yearly Vet visit: $10
Daily Care: $30 (pellets, hay, vitamin C)
Oxbow Apple Banana Treats: $6
In Loving Memory - Sanctuary Piggies
Bugsy
Sponsors: 1) Kim F.
Passed Away 12-8-2025
Galileo
Sponsors: 1) Tom M.
Passed Away 11-12-2025
Baseball
